I tried to make a silk purse out of a sows ear with the cabinet and it looked awful after attempting to hide scratches and chips etc. Furthermore, the old paint finish was flaking off so I decided to completly strip the cabinet. I have to say that it looks much better as the natural colour of the wood can now be seen.
Here is a "before" shot...
To understand the black art of electronics is to understand witchcraft. Andrew.
After a light sanding and cleaning, plus new black paint on the base and around the tuning scale recess, the cabinet recieves it's first coat of Liberon finishing oil. I am pleased with the result even though it is quite different to the original look.
To understand the black art of electronics is to understand witchcraft. Andrew.
I used a lot of RS components, they were well made, appreciate they were rebadged but at least they could pick the best.
If they had any suspect ones I don’t recall any.
You need to go a long way back, I think!
When I was at school I bought some tubular caps from a local dealer that I'm sure were RS but had very thin wires that could bend close to the body when you were handling them and snap off when straightened!
When I started work (for a different local dealer) the service manager had some scathing comments to make about RS electrolytics but I think that must have been in the past because I don't recall any problems and, as you say, the quality of all their stuff was good.
When all else fails, read the instructions
The cabinet is almost ready to have the chassis re-installed. I have replaced the tatty speaker grille cloth with something a bit less shabby and just one more coat of the finishing oil should do. The speaker cloth was salvaged many moons ago from an old Philips radiogram.... I knew it would come in useful one day.
To understand the black art of electronics is to understand witchcraft. Andrew.
The cabinet looks fantastic. ?
Frank
Thanks Frank, it turned out rather better than I thought. The veneers look attractive now that they can be seen, as opposed to being covered in scuffs, scratches and black paint.
To understand the black art of electronics is to understand witchcraft. Andrew.
Tonight, I installed the chassis back into the cabinet and re-fitted the all important Mullard badge on the front below the tuning scale. I just need to reconnect the speaker wires, a job for tomorrow now.
Interstingly, the few rubber covered cables in this set are in good condition and perfectly supple still.
I cannot understand why on earth I shoved this into a corner and forgot about it for so long.... Glad I have it more or less finished now.
To understand the black art of electronics is to understand witchcraft. Andrew.
That's a lovely finish well worth the effort. I've not used finishing oli before is it colourless and how many coats did you apply?
John
Thanks John, I applied four coats and all you do is liberally apply with a lint free cloth. It is pretty much colourless and does not stain the wood. It sets hard and is a nice easy way to obtain a good finish on veneer. Even though it says "oil" it is not quite the same, more like a lacquer when dry. It smells quite nice too. ?
To understand the black art of electronics is to understand witchcraft. Andrew.
